Barcelona Montserrat Tour

Montserrat is the ideal tour if you like nature. You can visit the monastery of Montserrat up in the mountain and go trekking or even rock climbing.

Located about 30 miles (50 km) northwest of Barcelona is Montserrat – the ‘Serrated Mountain’. The mountain gets its name from the rock formations which look like they’ve been sawed and sculpted, the result of thousands of years of wind and rain.

This unique rock formation is home to a Benedictine monastery and is a famous pilgrimage spot as it is home to the 12th century wooden statue of La Moreneta (The Black Virgin), Catalonia’s patron. The Monestir de Montserrat is a source of Catalan pride as well. During the regime of Franco, the monastery continued to hold Catholic ceremonies in the Catalan language and became a stronghold of Catalan culture despite the oppression from the government.

Besides the religious and cultural importance of Montserrat, the mountain also boasts unbeatable views from its peaks. A cog wheel train takes visitors to a lookout point where all of Catalonia and the Pyrenees can be seen. On the clearest days, you may even catch a glimpse of the island of Mallorca to the southeast.

ITINERARY

Begin your excursion by boarding an air-conditioned coach in central Barcelona (Calle Balmes, 5) at 3pm, continuing on a ride through the scenic landscapes of Catalonia on your way to Montserrat.

Your guide will provide details about the region’s history as you go, offering details about the mountain of Montserrat and the monastery that lies near its peak. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, climb aboard a cogwheel train for the 15-minute climb to the peak, enjoying panoramic views along the way.

Listen as your guide explains how hundreds of years of erosion have sculpted the striking pink rocks visitors see today. Make sure to also keep your camera handy for great shots of the mountain’s unique rock formations with Barcelona and Catalonia in the distance.

Arrive at Santa Maria de Montserrat, the Benedictine abbey that occupies the mountaintop. Learn about the critical role the monastery plays in the cultural and spiritual traditions of Catalonia via an audio-visual presentation. Then check out the Royal Basilica of Monserrat, situated adjacent to the monastery.

The Basilica is home to the 12th-century wooden carving of Our Lady of Monserrat, a sacred object also known as La Moreneta (the Dark One).

Spend some free time exploring the grounds at your leisure, stopping at the monastery gift shop for a tasting of four local liquors.

Then head back to your air-conditioned coach for the trip back Barcelona, stopping at the original departure point.